Bowlers finger brace



Jan. 14, 1969 R. GRANT BOWLER'S FINGER BRACE Filed Sept. 21, 1964 FIG.I I

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,421,761 BOWLERS FINGER BRACE Richard Grant, 978 Amarillo Ave., Palo Alto, Calif. 94303 Filed Sept. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 397,700 US. Cl. 27354 Int. Cl. A63d /00; A63b 43/00 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to finger braces and spacers, and, more particularly, to a finger brace and spacer to be worn by a bowler on the two fingers which he inserts into the bowling ball.

The average bowler, after bowling a number of games, finds that his bowling hand, and particularly the two fingers which are inserted into the bowling ball, tend to become tired. When this happens, achieving and maintaining a proper grip on the bowling ball becomes progressively more difficult. A suitable finger brace which could be worn by bowlers to afford support to the two fingers inserted in the bowling ball would do much to prevent and relieve this tiredness of the hand and fingers.

Moreover, a bowler may wish to use several different balls which may vary in the spacing between the finger holes. Of convenience to the bowler would be an adjustable spacer to be worn between the two fingers inserted into the ball so that he may fix the spacing of his fingers to fit each individual ball.

It is an object of the present invention to provide support for the two fingers inserted by a bowler into the bowling ball. This support is provided by a bridge which fits over the tops of these two fingers and which is securely held in position by a strap which passes under the fingers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer so that a bowler may fix the spacing between the fingers which he inserts into a bowling ball in order to fix the spacing between his fingers to fit a particular ball. To accomplish this spacing the bridge is provided with a projection which extends downwardly between the two fingers on which the bridge rests.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an easily removable and adjustable brace and spacer so that a bowler may find it practical and convenient to use. To this end, the strap which holds the bridge against the fingers is made easily removable or adjustable in length by the use of a buckle or by making the strap of stretchable material.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken across line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken across line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a bridge member shown generally at 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2 fits over the top of and between the two fingers which the bowler inserts into the bowling ball. This type of fit is accomplished by virtue of the bottom of bridge member 12 defining two arcs 13 and a projection 14 therebetween. Arcs 13 are of a size and shape which permits the tops of two adjacent human fingers to fit snugly thereagainst as shown in FIG. 1. Projection 14 between arcs 13 projects between the fingers when arcs 13 are in place and spaces the fingers apart from each other.

Bridge member 12 may be made of plastic or any other material which is firm yet which can be worn with comfort. However in the preferred embodiment of the present invention a suitable substance such as sponge rubber may be employed as a liner 15 for arcs 13. Liner 15 adds a measure of comfort to the wearer of the device and prevents chafing of the fingers.

At its top, bridge member 12 defines a channel 16 between outer walls 17. The width of channel 16 is such as to accommodate strap 18 therein. Strap 18 is designed to snugly secure bridge member 12 against the tops of the bowler's fingers. As shown in FIG. 1 strap 18 passes through channel 16, then passes around the bowlers two fingers on which bridge member 12 is Worn and snugly secures bridge member 12 against the fingers. Alternatively, projection 14 may be made to define a slot through which strap 18 would pass, thus giving more individual support to each finger and also fixing the fingers in spaced relationship. Strap 18 is preferably adjustable in length by means of a buckle 19 but strap 18 may be made of any suitable stretchable material which Will allow it to be adjusted in length without need of buckle 19.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment the bridge 20 consists of a firm metal strip which is shaped to form two arcs with projection 25 therebetween. The arcs and projection 25 are shaped so that bridge 20 will fit over the tops of two adjacent fingers and will also space the fingers apart from each other. Strap 22 is wound through four slots 23 in bridge 20, one slot near each end of the two arcs. Strap 22 is adjustable in length by means of buckle 24. By adjusting the length of strap 22 the tension of strap 22 forcing the bowlers fingers against bridge 20 may be increased or decreased.

Bridges 12 and 20 when snug against the bowlers fingers provide substantial support for the fingers and thereby prevent tiredness. In addition to providing this support, bridges 12 and 20 by means of projections 14 and 25, respectively, space the bowlers fingers apart at a fixed angle and thus fix the interval between the ends of the fingers. This angle and interval may be adjusted by changing the position of bridge 12 or 20 lengthwise along the fingers. By so changing the position of bridges 12 and 20 the angle between the fingers is changed and thus the distance between the fingertips is changed. A bowler may thereby adjust bridges 12 and 20 to properly space his fingers in accordance with the spacing of the holes in the particular ball that he is using.

A number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and I do not intend to limit myself except as set forth in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for bracing and spacing adjacent fingers of a bowler comprising a rigid bridge member having a bottom finger-adjacent surface defining two arcs and a projection extending outwardly therebetween whereby the arcs nest in snug relationship on the tops of two adjacent human fingers with said projection positioned between the fingers, said projection of a length to extend between the fingers substantially only midway of the thickness of the ngers, said bridge member having a width permitting positioning of the bridge at the different positions lengthwise of the fingers with the projection extending between the fingers to space apart the two adjacent fingers selected 3 4 distances, and a flexible strap passing over the bridge and then downwardly and around the second of the two member and under the fingers whereby the bridge member adjacent fingers. may be securely positioned against the top of two adjacent References Cited fingers for selective spacing thereof and the fingers rigidly UNITED STATES PATENTS held together with a space therebetween.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein 5 3298:689 1/1967 sal'ltol'a said projection includes an opening adjacent the free end thereof receiving said strap whereby said strap passes over ANTON OECHSLE the bridge member, around one of the two adjacent fingers, U .5. Cl. X.R. upwardly through the opening defined in said projection, 128-87; 29425 

